Database Users

SDK

Noob question: Does HTC have an SDK for their devices, or do they just rely on the WM6 SDK?
And on a related note...
I'm just starting to get into VB programming for WM (specifically, for my Tilt/Kaiser). Any advice on how best to get started? Stupid beginner mistakes to avoid? Best sites for finding sample code?
Thanks all!
-Florp

There is no special SDK form HTC devices.
In fact you do not even have to use WM 6 SDK specifically, programs compiled with previous SDKs will work as well.
Here is a site to start with: www.pocketpcdn.com
Personally, VB is not a language I recommend for WM based devices. Aside from a fact that you need the expansive VS 2005 (full version) to program in it, .NET compact framework makes for slower apps and on devices pre WM 6 it takes 5 MB to install CF 2.
Also, you can not use it to write things like today plugins and keyboards and accessing other system functions is a problem.

Thanks for the info!
If not VB, how about C#? Is that a well-supported language on WM?
-Florp

Well C# is a bit better than VB syntax vise but it suffers from all the same problems I listed before:
Need VS 2005
Need .NET CF2 -which is slow and built in only in WM 6
Difficulty accessing native APIs.
My personal recommendation is C++. If you are really interested in programming and don't know it - learn it.
Why?
MS has a free tool to compile for WM devices: Embedded visual C++ 4
You can write anything with it and access any system API directly with no problem.
Native codes runs faster and is more memory officiant because no supporting framework needs to be loaded.
Of course it all really depends on what you want to do. If you just want to make a quick simple app for you own use VB or C# may be more than enough provided you can get you hands on VS 2005.

[eMbedded Visual C++] vs. [Visual Studio 2005]

As I understand it, eMbedded VC++ can be used to write applications that will work in Windows Mobile 5/6. I'm curious as to what I would miss out on in terms of API. In other words, what's new and shiny in VS 2005 that would make it worth my money to purchase instead of just using eMbedded VC++?
Particularly, I'm interested in writing a Today Screen plugin (so the .Net features don't matter to me very much). Is there any API breakage between Pocket PC 2003 and Windows Mobile 5/6 regarding Today Screen .dll's?
Alternately, is there a way to use the Windows Mobile 5/6 SDK with eMbedded VC++?

embedded vc++ apps can run on wm6 devices because in most cases all arm wm apps can run on all wm devices
the beta2 of visual stuio 2008 is free and can also do what vs2005 can and more

Rudegar said:
embedded vc++ apps can run on wm6 devices because in most cases all arm wm apps can run on all wm devices
the beta2 of visual stuio 2008 is free and can also do what vs2005 can and more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know eMbedded VC++ apps can run on WM6, my question was more about whether there are any differences in available library/API calls using the older development platform, any name mangling issues writing DLL's, etc. Can I just use eMbedded VC++ to compile against the newest SDK libraries?

You will miss the following:
1) 1GB+ of you hard drive wasted.
2) 5 minutes wasted every time you try to access built in help
3) A lot of time lost due to slow response of the IDE
4) Programs that are not backward compatible.
5) Spending lots of money unless you have "other" ways of acquiring VS which we do not condone.
I worked with VS 2005 and still prefer eVC 4.
API is just a matter of what libraries you link to. You can get all the shiny new bells and whistles (frankly I am not familiar with any critical API, and certainly there is nothing new for today plugins) in two ways:
1) Manually unpack WM 5 or 6 SDK and link to its libs.
(Project->Settings->Link)
2) Use LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress to dynamically gain access to the API.
Oh and if you want to write today plugin check out this article and the link to RegDisplay in my signature. It is a skeleton plugin project you can use as a base.
Oh and stay away from VS 2008 at least till it comes out of beta. VS 2005 beta was the worst nightmare I ever seen and I can bet MS track record has not improved.

Today plugins with Visual Basic?

I have many ideas for the today screen that no other developer is doing anything about, so I decided to start coding my own Windows Mobile applications. I downloaded the SDK and made a few very simple applications using Visual Basic.
My question is, can I develop today plugins using Visual Basic? Is there any example? All the examples in the SDK are written in VC++ and I'm quite rusty in any language but VB.

aydc said:
I have many ideas for the today screen that no other developer is doing anything about, so I decided to start coding my own Windows Mobile applications. I downloaded the SDK and made a few very simple applications using Visual Basic.
My question is, can I develop today plugins using Visual Basic? Is there any example? All the examples in the SDK are written in VC++ and I'm quite rusty in any language but VB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a managed today screen framework over at CodePlex that lets you write today plugins in C# or VB.Net.
Get it here: http://www.codeplex.com/ManagedTodayScreen

Nice! Thanx....

is the Chome of 6.1 actually a plugin that manages nested plugins? Or is making a replacement home screen completely different than writing a plugin for Chome

Newbie Guide to C++

I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?

ronschaefer said:
I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAT kind of applications you are trying to write?
Do you need to write a device driver for your PDA?

ronschaefer said:
I need help - I want to start writing programs for my Tilt. Looking through the posts it seems the C++ is the way to go. I found a bunch of nice tutorials on the web on how to program in C++ but not now to write a program for a pocket pc.
Specifically I need help with which programs to download.
Im looking for a list like this of exactly what I need to get
1. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ 4.0.
2. Microsoft embedded Visual C++ SP4
3. Microsoft pocket pc 2003 sdk.msi
4. Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator
or what ever
Thanks I tried to figure this out on my own but got frustrated after installing like 7 different programs. Seems like you should only need 1 program but it seems like you need to download a bunch.
Also with the Embedded Visual C++ program I dont see where to enter your code - like open workspace or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to do it with visual studio and the emulator, im not 100% sure though, I only know a limited amount of Java.
Most phones support .net/C#/Java, so pick a language

What I want to write
Just some fun stuff =
One idea I had is a generic sound simulator, tie buttons to different sound - .wav files; animal sounds, machine sounds, phasor blasts, drum kit, theme music like - http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/illuminated/a5bf/
I want to have it look nice too with decent graphics.

i suggest to use Visual Studio 2005 or 2008.
It's simplest way to start (and continue) to write programs.
Both native and NET technologies are supported. C++ and C# available.
Both VS versions are coming with integrated Device Emulator with WM5(VS2005) and WM6(VS2008) images for PDA/PDAPhone/SP and remote debugger for real PDA/PDAPhone/SP devices.

If you are using VS2005/2008. Download the latest Windows Mobile 6 SDK (Standard and Pro) for the best Emulation.
Ta
Dave

but c# only works with .net
where c++ works with win32(native) microMFC(Native) and .net
more info can be found
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=380069&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=382995&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=226412&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=336251&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=305926&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=302548&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=228043&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=317913&highlight=programming
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=237932&highlight=programming

yes, С# is for NET only. This language appeared together with NET technology as alternative to Java after breakup with SUN
C# is closer to BASIC than C++. I, personally, don't recommend C#. Ths "strange" language is for lazy people. Almost nothing left of C++ and its ideology.

Visual Studio 2008 Pro trial version
Thanks for you advice - i deleted all that embedded C++ stuff - was way too confusing, must have had like 8 programs installed and still was not working - I like the idea of just 3 things the visual studio and the 2 WM6 SDKs
Im going to try the visual studio 2008 - there is a trial version of it for 90 days
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/products/aa700831.aspx
Would i be better off with the 2005 version as Im using Xp not Vista on my main computer. Should I get the Try Visual Studio "Team System" 2008 - Trial Software or just stick with the regular one i downloaded?
I also downloaded the standard and professional WM6 SDKs
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...745-88EF-3D48091A390B&displaylang=en#filelist

I used embedded visual tools in the past (3 and 4). Be aware that you cannot use the WM5 SDK with eVC, you must use Visual Studio for that. The latest thing usable with eVC is the WM2003 SDK, as far as I know. Also, the emulator handling in eVC was quite sluggish and buggy. When I switched to VS2005, it was like a deliverance to me. Also, the help system in VS is a blessing. *g*
Though I used Delphi's VCL in the past, I would never freely touch such a thing on restricted hardware such as in PDAs. Hence, .NET, MFC and of course *cough* Java *cough* are out of the question. I'm a pure C++ writer. The progs are nicely small and fast. And there are always alternatives to the things I can't use because of that: for instance instead of MFC CStrings I got acquainted with STL library's strings. There's also ATL which supposedly can be used instead of MFC for GUI programming, but when I looked for it some years back I found only very little information about that.
Happy coding.

Is it true that you can only develop WinMo C++ in VS Pro?
I read on the Microsoft marketplace that the standard edition dosnt support mobiles..
are there any alternatives (C++ only please..)

yes they only support through pro... but you can get it for free through dreamspark if you are a student

joel2009 said:
yes they only support through pro... but you can get it for free through dreamspark if you are a student
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damn, I am a student but my uni isnt listed
I asked one of the admins and they are looking into getting on the list
But it might be too late coz its my last year..

Mic159 said:
damn, I am a student but my uni isnt listed
I asked one of the admins and they are looking into getting on the list
But it might be too late coz its my last year..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news. My uni isn't listed either. It is a simple matter of verifying your student status on journey ed. I'm glad I could help with this because it turns out that I could get all the dreamspark software through my school's MSDNAA program anyways.

how to programming htc touch pro´s animation

well, i´m working in an application for windows mobile 6.1 (for personnal use) using visual basic .net. but in this platform is very limited. so i can´t do many things as in the win32. but i seen from my phone (htc touch pro, windows mobile 6.1 phone edition) graphics, and innovations that i really want to put in my application.
as 1,2,3, pages of transparent background, animation, programs launcher style.
any help, to guide me in wich lenguage i have to learn, and wich technology to use as (opengl es, directx, gdi+).
thanks.

If you want to make rich-client application with advanced effects, you should stick with DirectX or OpenGL ES.
For OpenGL ES there is a good framework
http://silvermoon.codeplex.com/
If you want to make it on top of GDI+, there is a catch. No native png alpha channel (only available via COM object).
AlphaBlend via WINAPI.
But it does consume more memmory, and does not have hardware acceleration.
If your main target is phone with HTC Sence/Manila 3d, you can use Sence UI. There is some sort of SDK for it. It would save you some time